Obama says health vote 'historic'

Mr Obama personally urged the Democrats to back the bill
US President Barack Obama has hailed as "historic" the approval of a health bill by the House of Representatives.
He said he was "absolutely confident" the Senate would pass its own version, and that healthcare reforms would become law by the end of the year.
Passed in a narrow 220-215 vote by the House, the bill aims to extend coverage to 36 million more Americans and provide affordable healthcare to 96%.
Mr Obama has made healthcare reform a central plank of his domestic agenda.
Correspondents say the legislation could lead to the biggest changes in American healthcare in decades.
Tight numbers
Democratic Senators must now consider their own bill. They need 60 out of 100 votes to bring it to a final vote.
I look forward to signing comprehensive health insurance reform into law by the end of the year
Barack Obama
There are only 57 Democrats and two independents in the Senate. Two Republicans have signalled they could approve a compromise health bill.
If it is passed, lawmakers from both houses will try to reconcile the two versions before the programme can be signed into law by the president.
In Saturday's vote, the bill was supported by 219 Democrats and one Republican - Joseph Cao from New Orleans. Opposed were 176 Republicans and 39 Democrats.
Mr Obama said: "Tonight, in an historic vote, the House of Representatives passed a bill that would finally make real the promise of quality, affordable healthcare for the American people.
"The United States Senate must follow suit and pass its version of the legislation. I am absolutely confident it will, and I look forward to signing comprehensive health insurance reform into law by the end of the year."
Abortion amendment
The debate had sparked strong emotions on both sides.
Democratic Party representative John Dingell said: "[The bill] offers everyone, regardless of health or income, the peace of mind that comes from knowing they will have access to affordable healthcare when they need it."
KEY BILL PROVISIONS

Aims to provide affordable healthcare to 96% to redress 2008 figure of 47 million uninsured
Individuals must obtain coverage and most firms must provide it to workers
Creates an insurance market for purchase of coverage
One product will be a government health insurance plan
People with pre-existing health problems cannot be denied insurance
Funded by raft of measures, including 5.4% surtax on those earning $500,000 a year or more
Those who earn up to 150% of poverty level to qualify for Medicaid government programme for the poor
Insurers must justify increases in premiums
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But Republican representative Candice Miller said: "We are going to have a complete government takeover of our healthcare system faster than you can say 'this is making me sick'."
Before the vote, Mr Obama had made a rare visit to Congress to try to persuade wavering members of his own Democratic Party to back the bill.
He said such opportunities came around "maybe once in a generation".
After the vote House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said: "I thank the president for his tremendous leadership, because without President Obama in the White House, this victory would not have been possible."
The bill will allow the government to sell insurance in competition with private companies and make insurers offer cover to those with pre-existing conditions.
However, the government-run healthcare programme - the so-called "public option" - was scaled back in the run-up to the vote.
One key concession to get the bill through was to anti-abortion legislators.
An amendment was passed that prohibits coverage for abortion in the government-run programme except for rape, incest or if the mother's life is threatened. Private plans can still offer the cover.
Democrat Bart Stupak, who sponsored the amendment, said: "Let us stand together on principle - no public funding for abortions."
Abortion rights supporters said the amendment was the biggest setback to their cause in decades.
The Senate debate on healthcare reform is expected in the coming days.
Senate majority leader Harry Reid said after the House vote: "We realise the strong will for reform that exists, and we are energised that we stand closer than ever to reforming our broken health insurance system."

BREAKING GOSSIP

1549 BST: Fulham boss Roy Hodgson says he will do everything possible to keep highly-rated defender Brede Hangeland at Craven Cottage this summer. (Press Association).
1522 BST: AC Milan have told Chelsea that midfielder Andrea Pirlo is not for sale and that he will finish his career at the Italian club. (AFP)
1505 BST: Fulham have agreed a fee with Golden Arrows for Kagiso Dikgacoi and are now awaiting just a work permit for the South Africa midfielder. (Press Association)
1141 BST: Real Madrid say they have wrapped up their summer spending spree with the transfer of Xabi Alonso from Liverpool, ruling out a move for Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery or Valencia forward David Villa. (Associated Press)
1038 BST: Hull City will try and tempt Cardiff City with a £3.5m offer for striker Ross McCormack. (Wales Online)
1013 BST: Bayern Munich have dismissed speculation that striker Luca Toni is to join West Ham on loan. Full story: The Sun
0928 BST: Bolton manager Gary Megson says he is prepared to listen to offers for defender Danny Shittu. (Bolton Evening News)
Keep an eye on the gossip column throughout the day for updates and breaking news during the transfer window.
TRANSFER GOSSIP
Liverpool are expected to use some of the £30m they gained from the sale of Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid to make an £18m offer for Roma midfielder Alberto Aquilani.Full story: The Independent
Standard Liege midfielder Steven Defour is also linked with a move to Anfield and his agent Paul Stefani says he would not turn down a move to Liverpool. Full story: The Independent
Italian side AC Milan are preparing a £31m bid for Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas.Full story: The Sun
Darren Bent's transfer to Sunderland has still not been completed, despite the Tottenham striker passing a medical on Monday. (Daily Star)
Sunderland, meanwhile, are set to sign Lyon defender John Mensah on a season-long loan deal. Full story: The Sun
The Black Cats are also keeping tabs on Tottenham centre-back Michael Dawson.Full story: The Sun
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has failed with a £5.5m bid for Sevilla centre-back Federico Fazio. Full story: The Sun
Wenger says he will wait to sign Bordeaux's Marouane Chamakh on a free transfer next season, rather than improve his £6m offer for the striker this summer. (Daily Mirror)
Tottenham hope to sign Blackburn defender Christopher Samba for £10m to help ease their defensive crisis.Full story: The Sun
Manchester United will use their friendly with Valencia to run the rule over midfielder David Silva and forward David Villa. (Daily Star)
Stoke City want to take injury-prone Everton striker James Vaughan on loan. Full story: Daily Mail
Hull are set to sign Villarreal striker Jozy Altidore and have agreed a £3m deal for Stoke midfielder Seyi Olofinjana. (Daily Mail)
Burnley are in talks with Independiente winger Fernando Guerrero. (Daily Mail)
South African midfielder Kagiso Dikgacoi claims he has secured a move to Fulham from Golden Arrows after impressing on trial at Craven Cottage.Full story: The Independent
Kilmarnock manager Jim Jefferies has told Hamilton Accies they must make a substantial offer for midfielder Craig Bryson. (Various)
Hamilton have been busy making offers for Killie's Bryson, Motherwell's Jamie Murphy and Inverness midfielder Dougie Imrie - all of which have been rejected. (Scottish Daily Express)
Aberdeen manager Mark McGhee is ready to sell one of his top players to raise cash to bolster his squad. (Various)
Watford have joined Romanian side Unirea Uriziceni in the chase for Morton Jim McAlister. (Scottish Daily Express)
Southampton are interested in signing former Birmingham defender Radhi Jaidi. (Daily Mirror)
Ipswich are set to sign Watford striker Tamas Priskin in a £1.2m deal. (Daily Mirror)
Bristol City have told striker Lee Trundle that he is surplus to requirements at Ashton Gate. (Daily Mirror)
OTHER GOSSIP
Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has agreed a new three-year contract at the club worth over £100,000 a week. Full story: The Sun
Newcastle defender Sebastien Bassong has been fined two weeks wages for refusing to travel to play in a friendly at Dundee United, adding to speculation he may be about to leave for Tottenham.Full story: Daily Mail
Crystal Palace have been banned from signing players due to a dispute over unpaid bonuses and signing-on fees from last season.Full story: Daily Mail
AND FINALLY
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has written off Liverpool's title chances, claiming he has more chance of achieving a hole in one in golf. Full story: The Sun
Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder David Beckham is being considered for a goodwill ambassador's role at former club Manchester United when he hangs up his boots.Full story: The Sun
Meanwhile, Beckham and his wife Victoria are in negotiations to buy a £10m luxury home in Chelsea, sparking rumours of a move to the west London club. Full story: The Sun
Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney is being haunted by a vacuum cleaner that keeps turning itself on. Full story: Daily Star
Northampton's players will turn out for free on the opening day of the season with their wages being split between the club's eight nominated charities. (Daily Star)
It has been revealed that Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez suffered his recent heel problem after slipping in the shower. Tevez is in danger of missing the start of the season. Full story: The Guardian